WO1996029964A1

WO1996029964A1 - Apparatus and methods for treatment of conditions including obstructive sleep apnea and snoring

Info

Publication number: WO1996029964A1
Application number: PCT/AU1996/000187
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard George Palmisano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-30
Filing date: 1996-04-01
Publication date: 1996-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 1997-09-30
Also published as: AUPN205795A0; KR100413069B1; US6536439B1; KR19980703488A; JPH11502443A; NZ304233A

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for the treatment of conditions including obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring resulting from excessive nasal airway resistance are disclosed. A rapid maxillary expansion device (10) is fitted to teeth (12, 14) of the upper jaw, and by operation of the jack screw (20), the maxilla is expanded such that, usually, the intermaxillary suture opens. The expansion is maintained until the maxilla stabilises, for example by new bone growth along the suture. In this way the minimum cross-sectional area of the nasal cavity increases, reducing nasal airway resistance and curing, or at least ameliorating, obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT

OF CONDITIONS INCLUDING OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP

APNEA AND SNORING

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for the treatment of conditions including obstructive sleep apnea (OS A) and snoring. The invention is believed also to relate to the treatment of other upper respiratory conditions.

Background of the Invention

OSA is the medical condition where the airway becomes partially or fully occluded during sleep in the region of the oro- or hypopharynx. It is a progressive condition that is recognised amongst middle or older aged overweight men, although it is by no means uncommon amongst women and younger people, including adolescents, children and infants. There have been many papers published discussing the medical consequences of OSA and associated syndromes on a person's well being. The pathophysiological cause of OSA remains the subject of some dispute.

The preferred clinical treatment for OSA is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) which acts to alleviate the occurrence of apneas and hypopneas during sleep. CPAP is the technique of pneumatically splinting the airway open by supplying air at a pressure elevated above atmospheric pressure to the nose, or to the nose and mouth. It is not, however, a curative treatment.

Surgical techniques are also known, however they are radical treatments that have generally been disappointing as a curative.

Disclosure of the Invention

The inventor, a specialist orthodontist, believes a root cause of OSA can be maxillary constriction leading to excessive or increased nasal airway resistance and mouth breathing, necessitating mouth opening. Maxillary constriction is but one case of excessive nasal airway resistance. Both this and the low tongue position, necessitated by the narrowness of the hard palate, result in further postural changes and airway obstruction, leading to snoring and with swallowing problems to sleep apnea.

The inventor further believes conditions such as asthma and upper respiratory tract infections can be attributed to excessive mouth breathing and reduced nasal air conditioning caused by increased nasal airway resistance. Further, swallowing problems which can be attributed to excessive mouth breathing caused by increased nasal airway resistance resultant postural changes. Yet further, cot death can be attributed to postural changes caused by increased nasal airway resistance, resulting in swallowing difficulties. These are conditions that hitherto have not been connected with mouth breathing caused by increased nasal airway resistance.

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of the progression and interrelationships leading to snoring and sleep apnea from maxillary constriction.

The nasal airway is to be understood as the airway formed between the choanae and the nares.

It is an object of the invention to provide a curative, or at least an ameliorative treatment for conditions including OSA and snoring resulting from excessive nasal airway resistance.

The present invention discloses a method for die treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring resulting from maxillary constriction, the method comprising the steps of: separating the intermaxillary suture; and maintaining the separation until a gap formed thereby is occupied by new bone growth and an intermaxillary suture is reformed, resulting in an increased nasal airway volume and hence a reduction of nasal airway resistance.

The invention further discloses a method for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring resulting from maxillary constriction, the method comprising the steps of: securing an expansion device between opposed sides of the upper jaw; expanding the expansion device to cause orthopaedic displacement of the opposed sides of the upper jaw to achieve separation of the intermaxillary suture; and maintaining the separation until the gap formed thereby is occupied by new bone growth and an intermaxillary suture is reformed. Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of surgically performing a partial corticotomy of the buccal surfaces of the maxillae with or without extension to the piriform aperture or the pterygomaxillary fissure in conjunction with the step of expanding.

Preferably, the expansion device is secured to one or more of the posterior teeth on opposed sides of the upper jaw.

The invention further discloses an implement when used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and/ or snoring resulting from excessive nasal airway resistance, the implement comprising means for attachment to the posterior upper jaw at opposed locations and means for causing orthopaedic movement of the upper jaw to cause separation of the intermaxillary suture, and means for maintaining the separation until a stable intermaxillary suture is formed, thereby reducing nasal airway resistance.

Preferably, the attachment means is releasably engageable with the upper jaw. In one preferred form the attachment means secure to one or more of the teeth. In a yet further preferred form the implement is a rapid maxillary expansion device. The invention further discloses a method for d e treatment of the adverse physiological effects resulting from maxillary constriction, the method comprising the steps of: expanding the maxilla; and maintaining the maxillary expansion until a stable state of the maxilla is established.

The invention yet further discloses a method for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring, the method comprising die steps of: laterally expanding the maxilla; and maintaining the maxillary expansion until a stable state of die maxilla is established.

The invention yet further discloses a method for the treatment of sleep apnea and/or snoring, die method comprising die steps of: laterally distracting me maxillae; and maintaining the distraction until a stable state of the maxillae is established.

The invention yet further discloses a rapid maxillary expansion device when used to perform the steps of any one of the preceding methods.

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of d e invention now will be described witfi reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is me flow diagram discussed above;

Fig. 2 shows an RME device attached to me upper posterior teem; Figs. 3a and 3b show elevational views of the maxillae before and after separation along die suture, and

Figs. 4a and 4b show an underside view of me hard palate.

Description of Preferred Embodiments and Best Mode The rapid maxillary expansion (RME) device, often also referred to as a rapid palatal expander (RPE), has been in use for me purposes of orthodontic treatment for about me last 100 years. Typically it is used where mere are crowding or bite problems, occurring for upper jaws mat are not as wide as ti ey could or should be. In particular, if mere is narrowing of me hard palate mere will be constriction of me nasal passages leading to increased nasal resistance.

As shown in Fig. 1, a RME device 10 comprises two sets of bands 12,14 surrounding ones of me posterior teeth of me upper jaw. The bands are releasably secured to me respective tooth by an interference fit, or by use of a dental 'adhesive' . Each of me sets is carried on a respective frame 16,18 to be fastened, typically by soldering, to an intermediate jack or translation screw 20. The central shaft 22 of the jack screw includes two orthogonally arranged bores 24. The jack screw 20 thus can be advanced (or retracted) by the insertion of a rigid pin into one of the bores 24 and by rotation of the shaft 22 through the agency of the pin. A tool suitable for operation of the jack screw 20 is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,133,659.

Use of the RME device 10 in orthodontic treatments in most cases is commenced in the orthodontist's surgery and wimout the use of any sedation. In use, therefore, the jack screw 20 is advanced to cause lateral (trans-palatal) forces at pathophysiological levels mat usually transcend those mat would cause orthodontic movement of teeth through bone. Typically, there is orthopaedic movement of the maxillae and the intermaxillary suture opens (separates). This action also can be understood as a distraction of the maxillae, or alternatively, an expansion of the maxilla, me maxilla being constituted by the two maxillae.

A typical procedure using an RME device in the treatment of OSA and/or snoring consists of an active phase of expansion lasting approximately two weeks, during which about 9 mm of expansion is achieved at me screw 20. This can be achieved by, say, a 2 mm expansion at the screw 20 performed by me orthodontist at the time of fitting the RME device 10 followed by a daily 0.5 mm expansion implemented by me patient himself (or by a parent). The procedure can be performed, in most cases, without requiring any form of sedation and wimout significant discomfort to the patient. The RME device is left in place for approximately 12 weeks, maintaining separation of the maxillae, during which time ossification occurs in the gap 30 formed by separation of the maxillae 32 to reform a normal suture thus stabilising the maxilla. After that 12 week period, me RME device can be easily and painlessly removed, and a conventional orthodontic retainer plate can be fitted and used for an appropriate time. The inventor has discovered mat me steps of laterally expanding me maxilla, and maintaining the expansion until a stable state of the maxilla results, not only resolves orthodontic problems, but offers a curative for OSA and snoring where these conditions have as a root cause excessive nasal airway resistance. Fig. 2a shows me normal intermaxillary suture 28, while Fig. 2b shows a gap 30 resulting from separation of the intermaxillary suture. The maxillae 32, nasal opening 34 and septum bone 36 also are shown. The nasal opening has a shape approximating an isosceles triangle. By virtue of the expansion, the minimum cross- sectional area of the nasal airway is increased (viz., d e base of me triangle is lengmened increasing the area of the triangle). Nasal airway resistance is thereby reduced or normalised.

Fig. 3a is an underside view of me palatal bones, omitting soft tissue for clarity, particularly identifying the normal suture 28. Fig. 3b is the same view immediately after rapid maxillary expansion has been performed and before new bone growth has occurred.

Not in every case of expansion will a gap occur as shown in Figs. 2b and 3b, particularly if the rate of expansion matches the rate of new bone growth along the intermaxillary suture 28. In some circumstances, particularly for patients in their 30's or older, it may be beneficial to perform the technique in conjunction with surgical assistance. There is a buttressing effect via the zygomae that may inhibit orthopaedic movement, thus partial corticotomies of the buccal surfaces of me maxillae are performed, either wim or wimout extension to the piriform aperture or pterygomaxillary fissure, and sometimes with midline labial malletting of an osteotome.

A tabulation of clinical studies, before and after RME treatment, conducted at independent sleep clinics in Sydney, Australia during me period 1994 to early 1996 for me purposes of a reasonable trial in respect of seven patients is shown as follows: Patient Age Baseline AHI AHI after RME (yrs) Total NR REM Total NR REM

1 17 7 1 6 0 0 0

2 23 20 13 74 1 1 4

3 32 8 4 18 0 0 0

4 29 8 8 5 2 2 1

5 24 22 21 30 5 6 1

6 37 35 30 58 3 2 6

7 15 7 6 15 4 4 4

"AHI" refers to the well known apnea/hypopnea index, equating to the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep. "RME" again refers to the rapid maxillary expansion. "NR" is non-rapid eye movement sleep events, whilst "REM" is rapid eye movement sleep events.

As can be noted, mere is a profound alleviative and curative effect. The inventor believes a significant percentage of patients suffering OSA and/or snoring can be treated in this manner. It is clearly the case that the methodologies herein described do not only rely on use of me RME device. Any otiier equivalent device diat operates either magnetically, mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically to achieve the exertion of trans-palatal force transcending levels that otherwise would cause orthodontic movement of teeth dirough bone, and instead promote orthopaedic movement of the maxillae can be utilised. Indeed, it may not be necessary to attach such a device to the teeth.

The inventor believes it to be the case diat the RME technique is a successful ameliorative or curative treatment also for the other conditions mentioned resulting from excessive nasal airway resistance for reason of clinical observations made by him over 28 years of practise in the performance of about 5000 RME treatments, ostensibly for orthodontic purposes. Excessive mouth breathing, due to increased nasal airway resistance, deprives inhaled air of filtering of airborne pollutants, bacteria, irritants and allergens by me nasal hairs and mucousal lining, and removes the humidifying and warming effects of the nasal route, contributing to the occurrence of me conditions discussed. Increased nasal airway resistance is resolved by me RME technique.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring resulting from maxillary constriction, the method comprising the steps of: separating the intermaxillary sumre; and maintaining the separation until a gap formed thereby is occupied by new bone growth and an intermaxillary sumre is reformed, resulting in an increased nasal airway volume.

2. A method for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring resulting from maxillary constriction, the method comprising the steps of: securing an expansion device between opposed sides of the upper jaw; expanding the expansion device to cause orthopaedic displacement of the opposed sides of the upper jaw to achieve separation of the intermaxillary sumre; and maintaining the separation until the gap formed mereby is occupied by new bone growth and an intermaxillary sumre is reformed.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, comprising the further steps of surgically performing a partial corticotomy of the buccal surfaces of the maxillae with or without extension to the piriform aperture or the pterygomaxillary fissure in conjunction with the step of expanding.

4. A me od as claimed in claim 2, whereby the expansion device is secured to one or more of the posterior teeth on opposed sides of the upper jaw.

5. An implement when used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring resulting from excessive nasal airway resistance, the implement comprising means for attachment to the posterior upper jaw at opposed locations and means for causing orthopaedic movement of the upper jaw to cause separation of the intermaxillary sumre, and means for maintaining the separation until a stable intermaxillary sumre is formed, mereby reducing nasal airway resistance.

6. An implement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said attachment means 5 are releasably engaged wim e upper jaw.

7. An implement as claimed in claim 6, wherein said attachment means secure to one or more teeth.

o 8. An implement as claimed in claim 6, comprised of a rapid maxillary expansion device.

9. A method for the treatment of the pathophysiological effects resulting from maxillary constriction, the method comprising the steps of: 5 laterally expanding the maxilla; and maintaining me maxillary expansion until a stable state of the maxilla is established.

10. A method for me treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring, o the method comprising the steps of: laterally expanding the maxilla; and maintaining the maxillary expansion until a stable state of the maxilla is established.

5 11. A memod for me treatment of sleep apnea and/ or snoring, me method comprising the steps of: laterally distracting me maxillae; and maintaining the distraction until a stable state of me maxillae is established.

12. A rapid maxillary expansion device when used to perform the steps of any one of claims 1 to 4 and 9 to 11.